| Farmers in Mizoram have seen good times and also weathered tough years, but a floriculture experiment they undertook three years ago promises to change their lives for the better, forever.
"The cultivation of Anthurium flower varieties is proving to be a success in Mizoram," Horticulture Commissioner M L Choudhary, told PTI.
The Central Government under exclusive technology mission on horticulture provided the saplings of the ornamental flower to small farmers in that state in 2002 and it has helped them secure a regular income, said Choudhary.
Samuel Rosanglura, the Director of Mizoram Horticulture Department, said Anthurium flower cultivation fetches anything between Rs 6,000-10,000 per month to a farmer depending on the size of the nursery.
Currently, the State has three-lakh Anthurium saplings.
Anthurium is a special flower grown throughout the year in cold temperature, while flowering takes place at a slow pace during winter season.
At present, 33 exotic varieties of Anthurium are being produced in the picturesque northeastern state.
The flower varieties are now even exported to places like Kolkata and Bangalore, Rosanglura said, adding the farmers are getting good price for their flower produce.
Each stem of the plant sells for around Rs 65 in the country's metropolitan cities.
The market price is determined by flower size and length of the stem. A plant yields six flower in a year.
Anthurium varieties are widely used in ceremonies ranging from
birthday, wedding to funeral services.
Anthurium to be Exported From Mizoram
According to the contract, a minimum of 2000 high quality
of anthurium stem will be exported to the Gulf countries on
weekly basis.
Talking to UNI here on the flag-off ceremony of the consignment,
horticulture director Samuel Rosanglura pointed out that currently
the anthurium seeds and and other materials were being imported
from the Netherlands and said at present there are 74 exotic
varieties of anthurium is cultivated in the state, the best
in the country, and of which 13 varieties, would be exported
across the globe.
Mizoram Floriculture
Besides this, we would also be exporting Leather leaf fern
for which a contract would be signed shortly with some internatinal
export agencies.
There are about 335 recognised anthurium growers under ZOAGS
across the state, where they have been trained by the horticulture
department by providing all the raw materials to produce international
quality of anthurium flowers, he said.
After a brief visit of the various plantation sites in Amsterdam
and in Coorg (Karnataka), our officers and field functionaries
of the department have already identified potential growers
and areas in and around the state, he said adding, prior to
the introduction of the actual cultivation, market feasibility
and its significance and predicaments was also thoroughly
surveyed, he said.
Mr Samuel also claimed that Mizoram anthurium was awarded
the best quality during last year's International banana festival
held in DELHI expo, which was held in Bangalore.
This year our anthurium growers were called for an another
International flower expo, which is to held in New Delhi by
next month, he said.
Mizoram Florist
Deputy Dirctor E Saipari also underlined that it is the aim
of the department to make the state the abode of flowers.The
productivity and quality of the Anthurium is high and all
the growers were enjoying monthly regular income of Rs 7000-8000,
while generating employment not only to themselves but also
other young unemployed people,he said.
Dr Saipari mentioned that other flowers like roses, bird
of paradise, gladiolus, chrysanthemum, statice, zinnia vinca,
gerbera, boungainvillea, marigold, ferns, palms ficuls will
be covered under the new horticulture technology mission.
A model floriculture center has also been established at
Horticulture centre, Chite where model rose, bird of paradise
and improved varieties of orchid and phaelenopsis were being
introduced to cultivate on a large scale in the state, Dr
Saipari explained.
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